Changing the Workplace with Elearning Gamification

Posted on Wed, 09/13/2017 - 08:35

A recent Gallup poll showed that the percentage of employees who say they are engaged at work is a mere 32%. The flip side of that percentage means that 68% of employees say they are not engaged at work.

The repercussions of this massive amount of workers not mentally occupied with their jobs are far reaching. Productivity certainly suffers, quality suffers, and it can ultimately have a negative impact on a company’s financial standing.

What is the key to turning these abysmal numbers around? What will make the difference? The answer very well may be elearning gamification.

Elearning gamification is key

Gamification sometimes gets a bad rap. It can be seen by some as frivolous and a waste of time. That assessment couldn’t be further from the truth. Sometimes, gamification can be as simple as rewarding employees for tasks that they already normally do. It can also be integrated more comprehensively with great benefits. Think about this statistic: the use of gamification can increase employee engagement by 60%!

Effects of gamification

Gamification can have a positive impact on each area of a business. Take a look at how it affects these facets of company success:

Employees. For the employees, introducing gaming aspects to the tasks they already perform can be a great start. For example, attach a points system to the travel that employees do for work. Miles could be counted and a leaderboard used so that everyone sees the standings. It motivates, adds a level of competition, and it adds a bit of fun. An employee who is having fun is going to be a lot more interested in their job. Engaged employees are 43% more productive, produce 23% more revenue, and are 83% less likely to leave their jobs.

Consumers. In order for a business to thrive, they need a customer base that is invested. Gamification is usually considered in terms of the benefit to the employee but consumers can get in on the action too. The result is a customer who returns, giving the company more business. For example, offering customers rewards or points for their patronage will encourage them to keep coming back to earn more and eventually redeem them for a discount on the products or services they are buying. Engaging customers is the best way to earn their business, not just the first time, but for the long-haul.

What elearning gamification isn’t

It isn’t playing games at work! It’s using the principles of games in a corporate environment to meet business objectives. It’s not a new concept in the workplace, though it has changed significantly in the last several years. The biggest shift has been in the area of technology. As with the rest of the world, advances in the tech world have left their mark on the training programs that corporations use to educate their employees.